Acupuncture News and Research
- Details
Researchers confirm that acupuncture is effective for the treatment of Bell’s palsy. In one investigation, acupuncture plus standard drug therapy outperformed drug monotherapy. In another independent investigation, researchers found that applying low frequency electroacupuncture produces significant positive outcomes for acute Bell’s palsy patients. Let’s take a look at both investigations.
- Details
Acupuncture improves ischemic stroke patient outcomes. Investigators from Guangzhou University of Traditional Chinese Medicine and its affiliated hospital conducted a clinical trial comparing regular scalp acupuncture with warm scalp acupuncture. The results show that the warm scalp acupuncture group produced superior patient outcomes. [1]
- Details
Acupuncture plus drug therapy outperforms drug monotherapy for the treatment of nodular goiter. In research conducted at the Hubei Provincial Hospital of Traditional Chinese Medicine, acupuncture plus levothyroxine produced a 91.4% total effective rate; using only levothyroxine produced a 68.6% total effective rate. The addition of acupuncture to the drug treatment protocol increased the total effective rate by 22.8%. [1]
- Details
Acupuncture combined with moxa is effective for the treatment of shoulder periarthritis. Suyang City Hospital of Traditional Chinese Medicine researchers conducted a clinical trial comparing distal warm needle acupuncture with local non-moxa acupuncture treatments. The results show that patients receiving distal warm needle acupuncture have better recovery rates but lower total effective rates. [1] A third arm to the study would have helped clarify whether or not additive or synergistic effects are produced by combining local and distal approaches to patient care.
- Details
Acupuncture demonstrates acupoint specificity in stimulating the immune system to effectively respond to bacterial endotoxins. Harvard Medical School researchers in combination with researchers from Fudan University and China Academy of Medical Sciences have made an important discovery. The research team has identified the exact neurons that only specific acupuncture points stimulate to produce powerful anti-inflammatory effects.
- Details
Acupuncture reduces pain and inflammation for patients with lumbar disc herniations. Kaifeng People's Hospital researchers compared warm needle acupuncture with standard acupuncture. Warm needle acupuncture reduced serum levels of proinflammatory biochemicals more effectively than standard acupuncture. In addition, warm needle acupuncture was more effective at reducing overall pain levels and restoring daily function. [1]
- Details
Acupuncture is an effective postoperative analgesic treatment modality. First Hospital of Haerbin Medical University researchers compared drug analgesia with electroacupuncture for postoperative total knee arthroplasty patients. Electroacupuncture produced better outcomes regarding downregulation of serum prostaglandin E2 levels and upregulation of β-endorphin levels. The researchers commented that low-frequency pulsed current (LFPC) transferred to the body via electroacupuncture was instrumental in producing the beneficial effects. [1] The researchers conclude that electroacupuncture improves postoperative analgesia by lowering serum PGE2 and up-regulating β-endorphin. In addition, electroacupuncture promotes rapid postoperative recovery of knee range of motion and has demonstrated a high safety rate.
- Details
Acupuncture is effective for the treatment of depression. Guangzhou First People’s Hospital (affiliated with Guangzhou Medical University) researchers compared SSRI (serotonin reuptake inhibitor) monotherapy with SSRI plus electroacupuncture therapy. The data driven results determined that the combined therapy increases the rate of positive patient outcomes.
- Details
Acupuncture improves stroke patient outcomes. Suining County People’s Hospital researchers determined that acupuncture combined with thrombolytic therapy is more effective than thrombolytic monotherapy for acute cerebral infarction patients. [1] This type of stroke is often referred to as an ischemic stroke. It is due to blood vessel disorders that result in disruption of brain blood flow and result in deprivation of oxygen and nutrients.
- Details
Acupuncture restores symmetry to patients with Bell’s palsy, a type of peripheral facial paralysis. Luoyang Dongfang Hospital researchers conducted a clinical trial comparing electroacupuncture monotherapy with a combined protocol of warm needle acupuncture plus electroacupuncture. The electroacupuncture monotherapy group had a 75.67% total effective rate, with 28 out of 37 patients obtaining significant clinical results. The combined protocol significantly outperformed the monotherapy approach to patient care. Combining electroacupuncture with warm needle acupuncture produced a 94.59% total effective rate (35 out of 37 patients had significant clinical results). [1]
- Details
Acupuncture provides support for Alzheimer's disease patients. Hebi People’s Hospital (Heilongjiang Province) researchers compared acupuncture plus exercise with exercise monotherapy. Adding acupuncture to the therapeutic regimen improved patient outcomes.
- Details
Acupuncture is effective for the treatment of Meniere's disease. Gansu University of Traditional Chinese Medicine researchers determined that acupuncture alleviates dizziness, tinnitus, and hearing loss for Meniere's disease patients. The research team documents the acupuncture methods used to achieve clinical results and the parameters used to gauge the measurements of clinical outcomes.
- Details
Acupuncture alleviates pain and restores mobility for patients with temporomandibular disorder (TMD), a temporomandibular joint disturbance syndrome involving the jaw joint and muscles. Second Hospital Affiliated to Fujian University of Traditional Chinese Medicine researchers examined two acupuncture protocols in a clinical trial. They determined that warm needle acupuncture produced a 93.3% total effective rate and standard manual acupuncture produced an 86.7% total effective rate. [1] The efficacy criteria included 4 levels:
- Details
Acupuncture is an effective treatment modality for the alleviation of gout. Foshan Hospital of Traditional Chinese Medicine researchers combined auricular acupuncture with warm needle acupuncture and determined that the combined approach significantly enhances the efficacy of drug therapy. Drug monotherapy produced an 81.67% total effictive rate. Adding acupuncture into the therapeutic regimen of care increased the total effective to 95%. Equally as important, the fully recovered rate was significantly higher in patients that received acupuncture.
- Details
Acupuncture alleviates prostatitis and reduces relapse rates. Jiujiang Hospital of Traditional Chinese Medicine researchers compared usual pharmaceutical treatment with acupuncture. The results show that acupuncture promotes local blood circulation, improves urethra and bladder function, and alleviates overall symptoms correlated with prostatitis.
- Details
Acupuncture alleviates myospasms and pain due to spinal cord injuries. Second Affiliated Hospital of Heilongjiang University of Traditional Chinese Medicine researchers examined the effects of both acupuncture and electroacupuncture. In their clinical trial, both modalities produced significant patient outcomes. However, electroacupuncture edged out manual acupuncture with an 86.67% total effective rate. [1] Manual acupuncture scored a 79% total effective rate.
- Details
Acupuncture is efficacious for the treatment of tinnitus related to cervical spine disorders, confirmed by Second Affiliated Hospital of Heilongjiang University of Traditional Chinese Medicine researchers. In the investigation, electroacupuncture outperformed manual acupuncture and produced an 86.7% total effective rate. [1] The success rate of the manual acupuncture group was slightly lower at 83.3%. Learn more about this treatment protocol at HealthCMi acupuncture continuing education online.
- Details
Acupuncture is an effective treatment for the alleviation of Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD). First Affiliated Hospital of Guangzhou Medical University researchers compared two test groups. One received COPD treatment with placebo needling and the other group received authentic electroacupuncture. The results show that acupuncture reduces small air way obstructions and increases breathing volume, ventillation, overall respiratory function, and exercise tolerance. [1] Learn about acupuncture and Chinese medicine at HealthCMi, a provider of acupuncture CEU continuing education.
- Details
Acupuncture and Chinese medicine provide relief for patients with tinnitus. Anhui University of Traditional Chinese Medicine Affiliated Hospital researchers conclude that acupuncture plus topical herbal medicine reduces the severity of tinnitus with a total effective rate of 93.5%. [1] Learn more about acupuncture and herbal medicine at HealthCMi, a provider of acupuncture CEU continuing education online.
- Details
Acupuncture restores motor skills, neural function, and improves quality of life for patients after a stroke (CVA, cerebrovascular accident). Jian Central Hospital researchers conducted a clinical trial of 80 patients with post-stroke syndrome. The researchers compared two groups. One received standard physical rehabilitation and the other acupuncture plus physical rehabilitation. Patients receiving acupuncture plus physical rehabilitation had significantly greater improvements in motor skills, neural function, and life quality. [1]
